Crystal structure of tris-[bis-(2,6-diiso-propyl-phen-yl) phosphato-κ]penta-kis-(methanol-κ)europium methanol monosolvate.

Abstract

A mononuclear europium complex was isolated as a minor product from the reaction of europium(III) chloride hydrate with lithium bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)phosphate in a 1:3 molar ratio in methanol. X-ray diffraction at 120 K revealed monoclinic (2/m) symmetry, and the compound is isostructural with previously characterized lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium analogs. All three phosphate ligands adopt a terminal κ1-coordination mode around the europium center. Hydroxyl hydrogen atoms participate in a total of six O–H···O hydrogen bonds, comprising four intramolecular and two intermolecular interactions. Photophysical characterization confirmed luminescence with a low quantum yield.